Transportation system



June- 14, 1927. 1,632,566

H. E.' TAYLOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Filed oct. e, 1924 5 sheds-sheet 1 OJ U msgs@ June 14, 1927.

H. E. TAYLOR TRANSPORTATION SYS'TEM Filed oct. '6, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 2elm/vanto@ Grammy' June 14 1927.

l 1I,632,569 H. E. TAYLOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 6, 1924 5Sheets-Sheet 5 In/vento?,

une 14 1927. J H. E. TAYLoR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 5 sheets-smaak 4 FiledOct. 6, 1924 june 114, i927.

H. E. TAYLOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 6, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5atto/vamp APatented June 14, 1927.

narra HER/THAN E. TAYLOR, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

Application filed Gctober 6, 1924. Serial No. 742,002.V

The invention relates to transportation systems or the like and hasamong its objects to provide means for cheaply and rapidly transportinga largenumher of passengers. rapid transporta-tion system which includesa pair of endless moving platforms.` one of which is operatedcontinuously at a predetermined speed while the other platform isalternately;7 slowed down to receive or discharge passengers and thenoperated at suhstantially the speed of the other platform to transferthe passengers from or to the last said platform from or to the firstsaid platform. A further object of the invention is to provide gateswhich are adapted to he automatically opened and closed at the propertimes for permitting' the passengers to hoard the platforms and leave`Ythe same. A further object of the invention resides in the provision ofa novel means for propelling the platforms, such means including helicesadapted to receive pins or the like secured to the platforms.

lll/'ith these and other objects in view; the invention resides in thenovel. features of construction and combinations and arrangements ofparts as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

llefe ring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan of one embodimentof my invention showingone of the driving units in relation to the platforms;

- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view in elevation showing the relationofthe helix for driving the variable speed platform and the pins foreffecting such drive;

Figure 3 is a View corresponding to Figure 2 showing diagrammaticallythe manner of varying the pitch of the helices for varying the speed ofthe variable speed platform;

Figure 4 is a sectional view in elevation through the platforms andhelices;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the forward end of the variable speeddriving helix;

Figure 6 is a like view showing an intermediate portion of the samehelix;

Figure 7 is a view showing a portion of the same helix in cross sectionin relation to the various pins carried hy the variable speed platform;Y

vFigure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the platforms;

A further object is to provioe arack har which causes the simultaneousoperation of the gates;

Figure is a view of the actuating rack ,along the line 15-15 of Figure13;

igure 1G is a sectional view in elevation along the line 16-16 of Figure14, and

Figure 17 is a sectional elevation view along the line 17-17 of Figure14 after the rack har has been actuated.

ln the drawings reference character A indicates the inner endlessplatform or high speed plat-form formed of a plurality of platformmembers or units 10. B indicates the outer endless platform or variablespeed platform formeel of the platform members or units l1. Theplatforms A andr B are adapted to he driven in the direction of thearrow shown in Figure 1 by means of a plurality of helices C and Drespectively located heneath the platforms and spaced' at intervalsalong the length thereof. ln order to rotate each adjacent pair ofhelices C, l), l provide a motor 12 (Figures 1 and 12) adapted to rotatea shaft 13 secured to the forward end of which is a pinion 14. 15

and 16 are respectively gears mounted on the helices C and D and. drivenhy the pinion 14. A hevel gear 1'?" isV mounted on each shaft 13 and, asshown in Figure 1, each opposite pair of helices C; l); comprises adrive unit (Figure 12) synchronized hy reason of the cross shaft 18carrying bevel gears 19 meshing with the bevel (fears 17. The crossshaft 18 also permits either motor of each drive unit to operate bothpairs yof helices C; D should the other motor become inoperative for anyreason. rFhe helices l) are formed with the reduced portions D thepurpose of which will be presently apparent.

For driving the endless platforms A' and B l provide drive pins 2Oadapted to engage the helices C and D. The plat-form members and 1l areconnected. as shown in Figures 9 and l0. In these views the adjoiningends of the platform members l() are shown arcuately formed in order topermit the platform to follow a curve. The ends of the platform unitsare also provided with overlapping tongues 2l for forming` a closeconnection between the successive platform members. Beneath the platformmembers is a coupling bar 22 secured at one end to one of the platformmembers 10 by the bolts 23 and at the opposite end is connected to theadjacent platform member by a bolt 24: about which the latter platformmember pivots when making a turn. The bolt 24. is adapted to be held inplace by a nut 25 resting on a split bearing plate 26 beneath which is asplit collar 27. The coupling bar 22 is adapted to carry the drive pins2O as shown. rlhe platform members 11 are similarly connected together.

In order to causethe variable speed platform B to alternately slow downand speed up, each helix D is provided with a portion D reduced indiameter. The pitch of the helices of this reduced portion is adapted tobecome gradually less until the platform B driven therefrom would beslowed down sufficiently to permit passengers to board this platform orleave the same in a manner presently described.

The pitch of the helix is constant thereafter for a suflicient distanceto permit passengersto board or leave and then the pitch graduallyincreases until the variable speed platform is again driven at the samespeed as the high speed platform A.

It should be understood that the motors 12 and `gears 14, l5 and 16 areadapted to rotate, at all times, the helices C, and D at the sameconstant angular velocity.

ln order to permit the variable speed plaiform B to he driven at onlyone point from each of the spaced helices D during the period that theplatform i3 is changing its speed, the drive pins 20 of this platformare of sufficient length to engage only the part of the helix having;the large diameter, the pins passing clear of engagement with theportion D of decreased diameter. Spaced at predetermined intervals(determined by the desired frequency of slowingdown of the platform B) Iprovide a long pin 28 of sufficient length to engage the helix Dthroughout the length thereof. VAt the rear of each longpin 28 I provide`guide pins 29 between the adjacent platform members instead of thedrive pins 20. The guide pins the purpose of which will be presentlyapparent are of sufficient number to pass clear of the helix D while thelong pins 28 are in engagement with the portions of helix D that drivethe variable platform at a speed less than that of the high speedplatform A. In this manner it will be apparent that the entire platformB is periodically driven by engagement of the long pins 28 (at whichtimes the platform B is slowed down and then speeded up) and the drivepins 2O (at which times the platform B is driven at a speed equal tothat of the high speed platform A).

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 the helix D is formed with a groove 30 ofconstant diameter throughout. In order to form the reduced portion D ofthe helix the walls 3l of the groove (see Figure 7) are cut away asindicated at 32. Thus in Figure 7 it will be noted that the guide pins29 clear the helices D at all times, while the drive pins 2O of theplatform B engage only the first part of the helices D having the largediameter passing free of the portion D of decreased diameter. The guidepins 29 pass free of the helices at all times. The drive pins 28 engageall parts of the helices D and cause the platform B to vary in its speedas explained above.

Referring` to Figure 4 I have shown my transportation system in thenature of a subway formed by the walls 33. Each of the platforms A and Bis movably supported on rollers 3e which run in tracks 35 supported atsuitable intervals by the yokelike supporting' frame 36. The rollers 3ahave their axles 37 journaled in the longitudinally extendinn portions38 of the yokes 89. Successive yokes are connected by a cable or thelike e0. In order to guide the upper faces of the rollers 84 the guidebars 4l are provided` supported at intervals throughout the length ofthe track by brackets l2 bolted or otherwise carried by the tracks 35.The tracks extend in endless fashion beneath the platforms, the rollers34e beine; connected by cables 40 and beine free to travel around thetrack as the platforms are moved.

Figure l illustrates the manner of supporting' the helices C and D, theformer being comparatively short is supported at its ends by bearings 43supported by brackets 4:4, while the latter although supported at itsends in a similar manner is additionally supported between its ends theportion D by bearing` rollers 45 supported bj-.f brackets fifi. therollers 45 pre fcrabl'v extending substan-v tially the pitch of thehelix D as shown in Figure G.

Guide rails are adapted to receive the leuide pins 29 as well. as thepins'28 and 20. the guide pins 2S) serving' to guide the plat-y form Bat the periods of non-engagement `of pins 2O with the helix D.

T he high speed platform A is formed, as shown in Figures 4l and S, withseats 47 located in transverse aisles formed by the arches 4 8preferably constructed of jointed pipe sections and provided with theconnecting pipe sections 49.

At the side of platform A adjacent the variable speed platform B Iprovide pairs of gates 51 and 52 rotatably supported on the gate posts53 and 54 respectively, the latter posts extending through the floor ofthe plat-form A and respectively carrying actuating pinions 55 and 56.The latter pinions are actuated by an arcuate rack 57 having teeth 58engaging pinion 55 and teeth 59 engaging' pinion 56. Back 57 issupported from the bottom face of ilatform A by a pivot pin 60, the rearof each rack 57 having also a downwardly extending pin 58 engaging atl-shaped channel 61 of rack bar 62 which extends throughout the lengthof the platform A. rihe raclr bar 62 is slidably guided at intervalsthroughout its length by the bracket-s 68. The rack bar also provided at'frequently occurring intervals with racks 64 meshing with pinions 65which support the raclr bar 62 by engagement of pinions 65 withstationary raclts 66. Pinions 65 are secured to a shaft 67 er# tendingthroughout the length of the rack bar 62 whereby the latter is movedlaterally all points as a unit in a manner to be described. In order tomove the rack bar l 62 to actuate arcuate racks 57 and open and closethe gates 51, 52 at suitable points, l

platform units 11 of platform B. The pinsl 68 preferably occur at thepoint of each long pin 28 and are adapted to engage a cam face 69 toshift the rack bar 62 to the right as viewed in Figure 4 whereby theracks 57 are rotated on pivot pins 60 to open gates 51, 52 to theposition indicated by the dotted lines 70 in Figures 4 and 8. After thegates have remained open for a desired length of time the actuating pins68 in the course of their forward travel engage the return cam faces 71which serve to return the rack bar 62 to the original position, thusshutting the gates 51, 52 to the position shown in Figure 18.

rlhe variable speed platform B is formed with transverse aisles formedby arches'72 aligned with arches 48 of platform A and likewisepreferably constructed of jointed pipe sections having connecting pipesections 73.

The platform B is provided with pairs of gates 74, 75 constructedsimilar to the gates 51, 52 of platform A and adapted to be actuated bysimilarly constructed arcuate racks 57. There is the difference however,in that the spaced actuating pins 68 of the platform B are carried bythe latter platform. the pin 68 engaging cam faces corre.- sponding to69 and 71 for opening and closing the gates respectively. The cam facesare also considerably steeper than those for the platform A since thegates of 'platform B are actuated when theplatform (and the actuatingpins 68 carried thereby) is Inoving at a considerably less speed thanthat of the vhigh speed platform'A, as will be apparent from thefollowing description of the operation.

ln describing the operation of the transportation I will illustrate thesame by giving a specific example of the speed at which the platforms Aand B may travel, as well as the distances travelled and generaldimensions of some of the essential elements of my invention. Thefollowing figures are merely for illustrative purposes however and maybe varied to suit conditions as (le-- sired.

lllhile my transportation system is adapted to operate on the. surfaceor as an elevated system, I prefer to operate the same undergroundbetween points E and F, for example, which might represent the downtownor business district of a city and the uptown or residential sectionrespectively, the distance between points E and F being 16 miles, forexample. The platforms A and B in their travel uptown anddowntownpreferably are located beneath the sidewalks respectively of a mainthorofare connecting); points E and F, the platforms A and B bcingformed endless fashion by the units 10 and 11 respectively. The platformunits 10 and 11 are preferably 12 feet long constituting equallydivisible units of each mile of the platform, i. e., 440'units to cachmile. At intervals of one-half mile provide a ldriving unit as shown inFigure 12. Th motors 12 rotate the helices C and D so that the platformA is continuously advanced at the rate of thirty miles per hour byengagement of drive pins 2() with helix C. The pitch of helix C ispreferably 12 feet so that for each revolution of the helix the platformC is advanced the length of one unit 10. It is thusy obvious that theplatform A is subjected to a propelling influence by continuousengagement of two drive pins 20, (the length of helix C beingsubstantially 24 feet) at every one-half mile. Inasmuch as the platformA is constructed of the oonnected units 10 it is therefore apparent thatthis platform will at all times be driven at a speed of thirty miles perhour, the coupling bars 22 connecting successive platforms 10 beingprovided with drive pins 20 throughout the length of platform A.

The platform B is provided with a long pin 28 preferably every J/p,mile` each long pin 28 being followed by 17 guide pins, the length ofthe helix D being 216 feet or 18 platform units.

The portion D of helix D preferably constitutes 192 feet or 16 platformunits, leaving a length of 24 feet for engagement with the drive pins 20and long pins 28 of platform B. Considering the distance between eachlong pin 28 to be 1/8 mile or 660 feet or 55 platforms, behind each longpin 28 is 17 guide pins followed by 37 drive pins 2O making a total ofpins for each l/S mile.

Starting with the parts as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5 in which a long`pin 28 is just entering` the heli): D, both of the platforms A and Bwill be driven in the same direction and at the same speed of thirtymiles per hour. Bearing in mind the fact that the angular velocities ofthe helices A and B always remain constant it is apparent that bygradually reducing the pitch of the helix portion D the speed of theplatform B will be correspondingly reduced.

fis each long pin 28 engages the helix D,

every fourth long` pin is also simultaneously engaging one of thehelices D since, as aforesaid, the long pins are spaced every 1/5 milewhile the helices are spaced in one-half mile intervals.

Tracing a cycle of the operation from the point where each long pinengages the lirst part of heli); D, the latter being provided with amouth portion 76 formed by cutting away the wall of the helix in orderto readily accommodate the pins in starting their course of travel alongthe helix, the long pin 28 cngages the helix D for a distance oftwentyfour feet or two units at the speed of thirty miles per hour, theplatforms A and B travelling at the same speed. As the long pin reachesthe point G, Figure 3, (the drive pins 20 ahead of the long pin arepassing clear of the portion D and the guide pins 29 at the rear of thelong pin are also free of engagement' of the helix D) the pitch of thehelices of the portion D begins to gradually decrease up to the point Hduring which interval the platform B will deA crease in speed fromthirty miles per hour to eight tenths miles per hour, the latter speedpermitting passengers to safely board the platform B at any point fromthe stationary loading platform 77 (Figure 4l) which entirely surroundsthe platform rlhe long pin 2S from the point H drives the platform B atAhe speed of eight tenths miles per hour for a distance of twelve feet,or the length of one unit, until the joint J is reached. From the pointJ to thev point K the pitch of the helix gradually increases until atthe point l the platform B is again being driven. at a speed of thirtymiles per hour. As the long pin travels the length (l2 feet) of theremainder of the helix, the drive pins 2O again start to engage thefirst portion of the helix D and will continue to do so and drive theplatform B a speed of thirty miles per hour until the next long pinengages the helix D, at which time the cycle will be repeated.. t shouldbe noted that the performance at each helix is the saine throughout thesystem as must necessarilybe the case to make all portions of theplatform B slow down and speed upvat the same time.

Before describing the operation of the gates their function is readilyunderstood when the performance of the platforms A and B are describedin relation to receiving and discharging` passengers. When the platformB is running at the low speed of eight tenths miles per hour the gatesof the units 1l swing open whereby passengers may board platform B atany point throughout its entire length. As platform B speeds up thesegates close and when the platform B reaches the speed of platform A, thelat'- ter running continuously at thirty miles per hour, the gates ofthe platform A swing open and the passengers on platforms B pass toplatform where they talre the seats l? on this latter platform. it thesame time passengers on platform A desirous of leaving the platformspass from platform A to platform B where they wait until this latterplatform again is slowed in speed to eight tenths miles per hour and thegates open to permit boarding and discharge of passengers to and fromthe olatform B.l lust before the platform B reduces its speed from thatof platform A. the gates of the latter close to prevent further passageof pzfssengers between the two platforms.

lollowing again the cycle of travel of any long pin longitudinally ofthe helix D with respect to the operation of the gates, as each long pinreaches the point G cach actuating pin engages the return cam faces .71or rack bar 62 whereby the gates 5l, 52 of the high speed platform Abegin to close by reason of the rocking movement imparted to the gateposts 53, 54: actuated through pinious and 56 respectively, the pinionsbeing rotated by the rack 57 having the pin 5S moved by the channel 6iof the rack bar G2. fit hen the long pin reaches a point indicated at Lthe gates of the high speed platform A will be closed. lt will be notedthat the platform B is decreasing in speed at this time. When the longpin reaches the point lvl the Til, 75 of the variable speed platform Bstart to open, the gates being opened by engagement of pins 68 with thecam face 69 of the rack bar. As before stated these pins 68 causelateral movement of the raclr bar 62 the latter during its movementrotating spaced pinions 65 and shaft 67. The latter shaft transmits therotative effort to the pinions G5 which are located between successivepins 68 in order to insure proper movement of the racl: bar at frequentintervals. Thus the gates of the variable speed platform B are openedbeginning at point M, the gates being entirely opened when the long pinreaches the point H. From the points H to J the gates 7a, 75 remain openpermitting` passengers to board and leave the platform from and forltheloading platform T7 at all points adjacent the platform B.l Then thelong pin reaches the point J the gates 74e, 7 5 of the variable speedplatform B start to close by engagen'ient of the pins 68 with the returncam faces 7l, and at the point N these gates are closed preventingfurther boarding or leaving the platform B.

On reaching the point the gates 51, 52 of the high speed platform Abegin to open, by reason of the pins G8 acting on the cam faces 69 ofthe rack bars 62 as previously described. At the point K the gates 51,52 are open at which time passengers from the platform A pass to theplatform B where they take the seats 47 and remain until they desire toleave. At the same -time passengers about to reach their destinationpass from the platform A to the platform B where they await the nextslowing down of the latter platform in order toleave the same. The gatesl, 52 remain open until the long pin nearest the next helix D reachesthe point Gr of the said next helix D, whereupon the cycle is repeated.

Admission of passengers to the loading platform 77 may be regulated inany desired manner, as by collecting fares in the customary manner ofthe subway systems now used in many large cities. Passengers leaving theplatform 7( may also be regulated by 'the usual exits (not shown) or inany manner desired. If desired the system could be arranged to collectthe fares of passengers upon leaving the platform 77. At any rate it isapparent that i have invented means for entirely avoidingthe necessityof employed attendants on the platforms A and B, the variable speedplatform operating in an entirely automatic manner. The gates of theplatforms A and B are likewiseautomatie in their operation.

lt is obvious that the long pins 28 may be spaced at any intervalsdesired, the spacing being determined by the frequency of the periods ofslowing down of the platform B. In a like manner the helices C, D may bespaced at any desired intervals. While I have illustrated and describedvarious values for the speeds, distances, dimensions, etc., of thevarious parts of the system it is obvious that these Values can bechanged to suit various conditions.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature andadvantages y of my invention will be readily understood,

I desire to haveit understood that lV do not limit myself to what isherein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to whendesired as fall within the scope of the claims.

that I claim as my invention is:

l. A transportation device comprising a platform, means for moving saidplatform at a 'constant relatively high speed, a second platformadjacent the first and means for moving the second platform as a unitthroughout its length alternately at substantially the same speed of thefirst platform and then at a relatively lowspeed.

2. A transportation device comprising a high speed platform and avariable speed platform and means for moving the latter platform as aunit alternately at speeds approximating the former and at relativelylow speeds.

3. A transportation device comprising a high speed platform, means formoving the platform at a constant speed, a variable speed platform,means permitting passengers to board the latter platform only when it ismoving at a relatively slow speed and means permitting passengers tomove therefrom to the high speed platform only when the two saidplatforms are moving at substantially the same speed.

4. A transportation device comprising a platform, means for moving saidplatform at a constant speed, a second platform adj acent the rst, meansfor moving the second platform as a unit at a relatively low speed andmeans for moving the second platform as a unit at a relatively highspeed.

5. A transportation device comprising a platform, means for moving saidplatform at a constant speed, a second platform adjacent the first,means for moving the second platform at times as a unit at a relativelylow speed permitting passengers to board the same at any pointthroughout the length thereof and means for thereafter moving the sameplatform at a speed permitting said passengers to transfer from thesecond platform to the first said platform. G. A transportation devicecomprising a platform, means for moving the same at a constantrelatively high speed, a second platform, means for moving the secondplatform at varying speeds simultaneously throughout the length thereof,means for permitting passengers to board and leave the second platformsimultaneously at a plurality of points throughout the length thereofwhen the latter is running at a relatively low speed and means permittinpassengersto pass from either one of said platforms to the. othersimultaneously at a plurality of points throughout the lengths of thesaid platforms'whenthe second said platform is running at a relativelyhigh speed.

7. A transportation device comprising' an endless platform, means fordriving the same at a constant speed, a second endless platform adjacentthe first, means for driving the second platform as a unitat variablespeeds permitting passengers to transfer to and from the first platformby way of the second platform.

8. A transportation device comprising a platform, means for operatingsaid platform at a constant relatively high speed, a second platform andmeans for operating the saine at a variable speed whereby passengers maybe` transferred to and from the high speed platform simultaneously atsubstantially all points throughout the length of the high speedplatform by way of the variable speed platform.

S). fi transportation device comprising a alurality of platform unitsconnected tgether to form an endless platform, a second platformsimilarly constructed, means for operating the first platform at aconstant relatively high speed simultaneously at all points thereof andmeans for operati ug the second said platform at speeds simultaneouslyat all points thereof permitting transfer of passengers to and from thefirst said platform by way of the second.

l0. iii. transportation device comprising a stationary loading`platform, variable speed platform adjacent the said loading platform, ahigh speed platform adjacent the variable speed platform, means fordriv- 'ng the same at constant speed, and means for driving the variablespeed platform at uniform speeds throughout its length to permittransfer of passengers 'thereto from the loading platform and therefromto the said high speed platform.

ll. A. transportation device comjn'ising a stationary loading platform,a variable speed endless platform adjacent the said loading platform, ahigh speed endless platform adjacent the variable speed platform, meansfor driving the same at a constant speed, and means for driving thevariable vspeed platform to permit transfer of passengers thereto fromthe loading platform and therefrom to the said high speed platformsimultaneously at substantially all points of the variable speedplatform.

l2. rf-transportation device comprising a stationary loading platform, aplatform adjacent thereto, driving means for said platform whereby thelatter is alternately speeded simultaneously at all points throughoutits length up to a relatively high speed and slowed down simultaneouslyat all points throughout its length to a relatively low speed, -a secondplatform adjacent the first said platform, driving means for the secondplatform whereby the latter is driven at a constant relatively highspeed, means permitting passengers to pass between the first saidplatform and the loading platform at times when the first said platformis being driven at its said relatively low speed, and means permittingpassengers to pass between the said first and second platforms at timeswhen the first said platform is being driven at its said relatively highspeed.

13, A transportation device comprising a stationary loading` platform, aplatform adjacent thereto, driving means for said platform whereby thelatter is alternately speeded up ,to a relatively high speed andV sloweddown to a relatively low speed, a second platform adjacent the firstsaid platform, driving means for the second platform whereby the latteris driven at a constant relatively high speed, means permittingpassengers to pass between the first said platform and the loadingplatform at times when the first said platform is being driven at its'said relatively low speed, and means permitting passengers to passbetween the said first and second platforms at times when the first saidplatform is being driven at its said relatively high speed, andautomatically operated means limiting the passage of passengers betweenthe points aforesaid to the times when the speeds of the said platformsbear the aforesaid relations.

le. fr transportation device comprising a stationary loading platform, aplatform adjacent thereto, driving means for said platform whereby thelatter is alternately speeded up to a relatively high speed and sloweddown to a relatively low speed, a second platform adjacent the firstsaid plat form, driving means for the second plat-` form whereby thelatter is driven at a constant relatively high speed, means permittingpassengers to pass between the first said platform and the loadingplatform at times when the first said platform is being driven at .itssaid relatively low speed, and means permitting passengers to passbetween lthe said first and second platforms at times when the firstsaid platform is being driven at its said relatively high speed, andautomatically controlled gates for limiting the passage of passengersbetween the points aforesaid to the times when the speeds of the saidplatforms bear the aforesaid relations.

rf transportation device comprising a stationary loading platform, anendless platform adjacent thereto, said platform having spaced pins, ahelix below the platform adapted to be engaged by said pins for drivingthe platform therefrom, a second endless platform adjacent the first andprovided with pins, a second helix below the second platform adapted tobe engaged by the last said pins for driving the second platformtherefrom, means for driving said helices at the same constant angularvelocity, means associated with said first helix adapted to drive itsplatform at relatively low speeds at times and relatively high speeds atother times, means associated with said second helix for driving itsplatform at a constant .relatively high speed substantially equal tothat of the said high speed of the first platform, means permittingpassengers-topass between the said first and second platforms at timeswhen the first said platform is being driven at its said relatively highspeed.

16. A transportation device comprising a stationary loading platform, anendless platform adjacent thereto, said platform having spaced pins, ahelix below the platform adapted to be engager by said pins for drivingthe platform therefrom, a sec-- ond endless platform adjacent the firstand provided with pins, a second helix below ,the second platformadapted to be engaged by the last said pins for driving the secondplatform therefrom, means for driving said helices at the same constantangular velocity, means associated with said first helix adapted todrive its platform at relatively low speeds at times and relatively highspeeds at other times, means associated with said second helix fordriving its platform at a constant relatively high speed substantiallyequal to that of the said high speed of the first platform, meanspermitting passengers to pass between the said first and secondplatforms at times when the first said platform is being driven at itssaid relatively high speed, and automatically operated means limiting,the passage of passengers between the points aforesaid to the timeswhen the speeds of the said platforms bear the aforesaid relations.

17. A transportation device comprising a stationary loading platform, anendless platform adjacent thereto, said platform having spaced pins, ahelix below the platform adapted to be engaged by said pins for drivingthe platform therefrom, a second endless platform adjacent the first andprovided with pins, a second helix below the second platform adapted tobe engaged by the last said pins for driving the second platformtherefrom, means for driving said helices at the same constant angularvelocity, means associated with said first helix adapted to drive itsplatform at relatively low speeds at times and relatively high speeds atother times, means associated with said second helix for driving itsplatform at a constant relatively high speed substantially equal to thatof the said high speed of the first platform, means permittingpassengers to pass between the said rst and second platforms at timeswhen the first said platform is being driven at its said relatively highspeed, gates on said first platform, gates on said second platform,means automatically controlled by the speed of the first platform foropening the gates of the second plat-form when the twoy said platformsare being operated at substantially the same speed and for closing thegates when the speed 0f the first platform differs from that of thesecond platform, and means automatically controlled by the speed of thefirst platform for opening the gates thereof when the first platform isbeing operated at its said relatively low speed and for closing thegates when the speed of the first platform is greater than saidrelatively low speed.

18. A transportation device comprising a platform, a helix below saidplatform said helix formed with a groove of varying pitch, a pin carriedby said platform for periodically enga-ging said helix for driving theplatform at various speeds, and other pins carried by said platformadapted to engage said helix for driving the platform at a constantspe-ed at other times.

19, ln a transportation device, a movable platform, a plurality of gatesfor controlling exit and entrance passages from and to said platform,means for automatically moving said gates to open and close the same atpredetermined intervals, said means comprising a bar extendinglongitudinally of said platform, connections between said bar and saidgates and means for shifting said bar transversely of said platform toact upon said connections to swing said gates to open .and closedpositions.

20. ln a transportation device, a movable platform, a plurality of gatesfor controlling exit and entrance passages from and to said platform,and means for automatically mov-- ing said gates to open and closedposition at predetermined positions of said platform.

,ln testimony whereof l affix my signature.

HERMAN E. TAYLOR.

